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Author Topic: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)  (Read 9187 times)

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shaolindrunkard

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This is my beige and wood grain project. I wanted that late 70s early 80s PC/alarm clock color scheme. Sorry there is no build log, I find it hard enough to find time to work on these projects to stop and take pictures of the process... The machine only plays arcade games and I created a curated list for myself of about 375 games. Really no need to hoard games I will never play. Don't know if you can tell, but I used the HLSL settings in MAME to give a bit of CRT look to the LCD. I made the bezel to fit the curvature effect. I really like the way it came out. We've been playing non stop since I finished it a couple weeks ago.









This project really had a purpose. I have a small office in the upstairs of my house. I've wanted a cab upstairs and easily accessible for years since my wife and I hardly ever go into the basement to play my full-sized cab. We only ever use it if we have a party or something like that and even then we don't get a chance to play together. Problem is the room is small and I have a ton of old console games that were on a table in front of my tv that I needed space to store... So this project became a cab/ storage cab.



The joysticks are Sanwa JLWs and I created a system to switch them from 4 way to 8 way by opening the front panel. You just twist the knob, its a piece of PVC pipe with a cap on it... Basically I attached the restrictor plates to a piece of PVC and extended it down so that the restrictor can be turned from under the control panel easily...










« Last Edit: March 07, 2020, 03:16:04 pm by shaolindrunkard »

vertexguy

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2020, 03:36:25 pm »
Beautiful result!  It reminds me a bit of a NASA control panel from the front.  The sides add that retro flair reminding me of a jukebox or change machine

Love to see details on your pvp solution to toggle 4 way / 8 way.

Ond

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2020, 04:32:09 pm »
Nice mix of minimalist design and timber panelling.  The hybrid cocktail/upright aspect is appealing.

yotsuya

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2020, 04:57:28 pm »
Sweet! I dig it!!! You made your own design instead of bastardizing an existing one, to great results! Kudos to you! It’s a very throwback design.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2020, 05:03:59 pm »
Beautiful result!  It reminds me a bit of a NASA control panel from the front.  The sides add that retro flair reminding me of a jukebox or change machine

Love to see details on your pvp solution to toggle 4 way / 8 way.

Thanks! Yeah I was actually looking at a lot of industrial equipment from that time period for inspiration...

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2020, 05:04:32 pm »
Nice mix of minimalist design and timber panelling.  The hybrid cocktail/upright aspect is appealing.

Thanks!

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2020, 05:05:06 pm »
Sweet! I dig it!!! You made your own design instead of bastardizing an existing one, to great results! Kudos to you! It’s a very throwback design.

Thanks!

stigzler

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2020, 07:14:29 pm »
Very respectable. Like it  :applaud:

Just watch your knees on those coin slots.... (safety first)

MiteWiseacre

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2020, 07:17:31 pm »
Really nice

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2020, 07:37:47 pm »
Very respectable. Like it  :applaud:

Just watch your knees on those coin slots.... (safety first)

Thankfully your knees sit comfortably below the slots. I stuck them on with double stick tape before attaching just to make sure. Did a lot of trial and error to make sure it was comfortable to play. Wasn't sure it was going to be according to the original design I had in mind, but it turned out surprisingly comfortable. At least for me.

shaolindrunkard

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javeryh

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2020, 12:40:41 pm »
This is really awesome.  Any info on how you made the side panels?  Did you laminate both sides yourself?  Also, what is the monitor bezel made out of and how did you cut the curves?  I like how you made the LCD look as much like a CRT as possible - was that easy to set up?

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2020, 01:31:44 am »
Wow, that is great.  Excellent design!  That thing is seriously charming.   :applaud:

Clever work on the restrictors, too. 

I don't think you mentioned - what do the red/green/blue/yellow/yellow illuminated buttons on the left side above P1 Start do? 

mourix

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2020, 08:48:12 am »
This is definitely my favorite build in a while! It is simple yet striking, and very original. You really had a vision for the details :applaud:

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2020, 04:48:13 pm »
This is really awesome.  Any info on how you made the side panels?  Did you laminate both sides yourself?  Also, what is the monitor bezel made out of and how did you cut the curves?  I like how you made the LCD look as much like a CRT as possible - was that easy to set up?

Yeah I laminated both sides of the side panels... first time I've ever done that... Wasn't too bad but I was concerned if I screwed up one side the whole thing would be screwed. But I was careful...

The bezel is a piece of smoked plexiglass. I actually got it from tap plastics website and they offer rounded edges for a few bucks more so I just had them cut it that way.

Behind the plexi is black vinyl that I cut in the shape of the CRT effect applied to Mame. That was a doozy getting that placed just right but I pulled it off, not without a little sweating though.

Yeah the HLSL setting in mame are very easy to mess with and get the look you are going for.

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #15 on: March 09, 2020, 04:52:32 pm »
Wow, that is great.  Excellent design!  That thing is seriously charming.   :applaud:

Clever work on the restrictors, too. 

I don't think you mentioned - what do the red/green/blue/yellow/yellow illuminated buttons on the left side above P1 Start do?

The red button is wired to the PC power switch, so that's the power button. I have a smart power strip inside that powers everything, so the PC is plugged into the control outlet. Which means when I turn the PC on everything else comes on and when I turn it off everything else turns off. Except the monitor which is plugged into an always on outlet so it will save my brightness settings... allows me to have one button for everything...

The blue and green I'm using as volume up and down buttons and the orange and yellow are just extra coin buttons or utility buttons whatever I need them for...

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #16 on: March 09, 2020, 04:53:12 pm »
This is definitely my favorite build in a while! It is simple yet striking, and very original. You really had a vision for the details :applaud:

Thanks man, yeah very happy how it turned out.

tomton

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #17 on: March 10, 2020, 07:29:22 am »
Really well done!

Your cabinet looks great and judging from pictures it looks like it's comfortable to have some longer sessions playing games.

morton

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #18 on: March 10, 2020, 10:18:58 am »
Now this... I like!

Classic looking without looking like anything I've seen before. Has a nice vibe to it, as if they made cabinets for home use way back when. It blends into a room like functional furniture and doesn't look utilitarian, especially when placed among some mid century furniture or decor of that sort.

Bookmarked for inspiration.

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #19 on: March 10, 2020, 12:26:40 pm »
I just love the fact that it’s subtle and functional and doesn’t scream “OMG11!!1!2!Bideo Gamez!!!1!”

See... it can be done.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #20 on: March 10, 2020, 01:32:43 pm »
Thanks guys.

stigzler

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #21 on: March 10, 2020, 03:04:42 pm »
... but where are the cup holders....  ???

yotsuya

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #22 on: March 10, 2020, 04:11:49 pm »
... but where are the cup holders....  ???
In the Kitchen where they belong
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

stigzler

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #23 on: March 11, 2020, 04:40:37 pm »
... but where are the cup holders....  ???
In the Kitchen where they belong

Luddite. Cup holders are the next big thing...

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #24 on: March 11, 2020, 04:50:04 pm »
Eff that. If I want liquid all over my stuff, I’d just build a submarine.

Want a drink? Put it on a little table like the rest of the civilized world.

***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #25 on: March 11, 2020, 05:02:11 pm »
Beautiful result!  It reminds me a bit of a NASA control panel from the front.  The sides add that retro flair reminding me of a jukebox or change machine

Love to see details on your pvp solution to toggle 4 way / 8 way.

I was thinking Dr. No myself when I saw it.

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #26 on: July 17, 2020, 09:33:46 am »
Love this! Great design and great attention to detail! It looks beautifully retro from top to bottom.

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #27 on: July 17, 2020, 07:52:32 pm »
Love this! Great design and great attention to detail! It looks beautifully retro from top to bottom.

Thanks friend.

Zeosstud

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #28 on: July 18, 2020, 06:41:16 am »
What a great project.. Looks Fantastic and totally solves the problem.. Very Well Done.

- Zeosstud
Rodney Butler

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #29 on: July 19, 2020, 01:45:52 pm »
Flawless excecution! Very cool 4/8-way solution too.  :applaud:

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #30 on: July 19, 2020, 01:57:26 pm »
Thanks peeps.  :)

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #31 on: July 20, 2020, 06:47:10 am »
I had not seen this before - glad it got bumped up.
Nice work and execution   :applaud:
My Arcade Cabinet Build and other projects here:
Centipede, Joust, Joust Cocktail, Asteroids, Galaga, Ms. Pacman Cabaret, Defender, Space Invaders Cocktail
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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #32 on: July 28, 2020, 11:43:28 am »
My man, that is a work of art, absolutely magnificent. Love the custom retro design.

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #33 on: July 28, 2020, 12:56:48 pm »
My man, that is a work of art, absolutely magnificent. Love the custom retro design.

Aww, thanks brother! :)

bobbyb13

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #34 on: September 03, 2020, 02:26:33 pm »
This thing is awesome.

Would never have thought of a half cocktail/half cabaret kind of design- but now I want one.

And your 4/8 way switch solution is brilliant too.

Where did you get those stools?
Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools! I can fix it.

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #35 on: September 03, 2020, 02:36:39 pm »
Thanks for the kind words... They are just cheap salon stools I found on eBay. They are about 30 bucks a piece, but they get the job done and they have held up well...

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #36 on: January 11, 2021, 08:50:03 pm »
Of course your thread deserves a bump anyway, for those who never saw this build before, and...

Hopefully I'm not being irritating by asking, but-
Would you share what width you wound up making this?

I may finally be getting around to building a form factor similar to yours here but I'm agonizing over control panel width.

Maximum to fit through a door is where I am presently but wondered what wisdom you might have to offer.

And the DOT element to those stools truly is awesome.
Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools! I can fix it.

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #37 on: January 12, 2021, 03:52:35 pm »
Of course your thread deserves a bump anyway, for those who never saw this build before, and...

Hopefully I'm not being irritating by asking, but-
Would you share what width you wound up making this?

I may finally be getting around to building a form factor similar to yours here but I'm agonizing over control panel width.

Maximum to fit through a door is where I am presently but wondered what wisdom you might have to offer.

And the DOT element to those stools truly is awesome.

No problem... When you are looking at it from the front its 34" wide and from the side its 23. Its funny, designing projects to fit through doors is something we all deal with but we never talk about lol. Anyway good luck with your project.

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #38 on: January 13, 2021, 12:57:31 am »
Greatly appreciate the (very fast!) reply.   :cheers:

I am cramming a CRT into mine here and the control panel will therefore be the narrowest of the three dimensions.

Might just measure with the door off the entry I am thinking about and go from there   :lol

And in the vein of the most sincere form of flattery...?

I think I may be stealing your joystick switching design.

Simple,
Functional,
yet... inexpensive!

And therefore as elegant as possible.

Mahalo nui loa!!
Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools! I can fix it.

shaolindrunkard

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Re: My late 70s early 80s computer style looking thing... (Complete)
« Reply #39 on: January 13, 2021, 07:48:46 pm »
Good luck with the project!